News and notes about Memphis, TN from the desk of Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.

Gas for Guns Provides Judgment Free Zone

It will be “No Questions Asked” next Saturday, September 15th, as the City of Memphis, Mapco, and the Memphis Grizzlies offer “Gas for Guns” at the Bloomfield Baptist Church.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the City and its partners will give citizens a $50 gas card for each gun they turn in, with a limit of three gas cards for each individual. Participants will also receive two Memphis Grizzlies tickets.

“Crime, especially violent crime, is often fueled by relatively easy access to firearms,” said Mayor Wharton. “Last year, 1,600 guns were reported stolen here in Memphis. Those guns didn’t just evaporate and disappear. They ended up on the street.”

Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said the parking lot of Bloomfield Baptist Church would be a “judgment free zone” Saturday. No questions will be asked relative to any firearm turned in or any persons participating.

“In 67 percent of the aggravated assaults we’ve investigated this year, a firearm has been used to commit those crimes,” said Director Armstrong. “This is an effort for us to take guns off the street.”